Tarion Warranty Explained for East Toronto Homeowners | What’s Covered (and What Isn’t)

Design-Build insights

September 13, 2025

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🏠 Tarion Warranty in Plain English (for East Toronto Homes)

If you’re buying or building a new home in Ontario, the warranty that matters is Tarion—administered under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act. It provides deposit protection, delayed-closing/occupancy compensation, and post-possession defect coverage for up to 7 years (Tarion overview).

Quick reality check for renovators in Leslieville/Beaches/Riverdale: typical home renovations are not covered by Tarion. Tarion protects new homes; “renovated/previously-occupied” homes generally fall outside, unless the project meets the legal definition of a new home (rare in standard renos) (Tarion FAQs).

🧭 What Tarion Is (and who is covered)

💰 Pre-Closing Protections (Before You Get the Keys)

🧩 Post-Possession Coverage: 1-, 2-, and 7-Year

1-Year Warranty

  • Fit for habitation

  • Built to Ontario Building Code

  • Free from defects in materials/workmanship

  • No unauthorized substitutions
    (Tarion 1-Year Coverage)

2-Year Warranty

  • Water penetration (envelope/foundation)

  • Electrical, plumbing, and HVAC delivery systems

  • Exterior cladding defects

  • Building Code violations affecting health/safety
    (Tarion 2-Year Coverage)

7-Year Major Structural Defect (MSD)

  • Failures of load-bearing elements

  • Defects significantly impairing the home’s use as a residence
    (Tarion 7-Year Coverage)

🛠️ Claims & Builder Repair Period

  • File warranty claims via Tarion MyHome.

  • Submitting a statutory warranty form starts a 120-day builder repair period (MSD claims differ).

🚫 What Tarion Doesn’t Cover

  • Most renovations to existing, previously-occupied homes.

  • Normal wear and tear.

  • Damage caused by homeowners.

  • Items homeowners supplied themselves.
    (Tarion exclusions)

🧱 East-End Angle: When Tarion Matters (and when it doesn’t)

  • New custom homes & full rebuilds (e.g., teardown/new build in the Beaches): Tarion applies if built by a licensed vendor and properly enrolled.

  • Typical renos/additions/underpinning on century semis in Leslieville or Riverdale: Tarion generally doesn’t apply. Your protection comes from your contract, permits/inspections, and the contractor’s transparency and systems.

🔧 How Woodsmith Uses This (Clarity for Clients)

  • If it’s a new home: we walk clients through enrolment, PDI, forms, timelines, and warranty paperwork.

  • If it’s a renovation: we set expectations that Tarion doesn’t apply. Instead, we protect you with clear scopes, permit compliance, and open-book cost-plus.

  • Want to see how we earned this? Read our post on becoming a Tarion-certified builder to learn why we pursued certification and what it means for East Toronto homeowners.

👉 Explore our Design-Build Services and Construction Services. Ready to renovate smarter? Contact us.

📚 Helpful Official Links

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